“It’s Alive!”

www.creatuRefeatuRes.com Friends of the Pomona Fox presents An 80th Anniversary Tribute

ing Kong was released in March of 1933, but didn’t make it to the Pomona Fox until May of the same year. To promote Kong, the giant Kong head Kused in the film was put on display outside the theater where locals could have their photos taken with Kong (left). Another photo from the period (right) shows large crowds assembled for the closing night of the film.

Kong made his mark in Pomona, and we’re very happy to be able to repay him on his 80th birthday, with this very special program. HAPPY BIRTHDAY KONG! This program is made possible through the generous assistance of our program sponsors. Special thanks to Scott Essman for putting together this program and to all of our volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure a quality program.

Friends of the Pomona Fox Board of Directors

John Clifford, Chairman Larry Egan Eddie Gonzalez, Vice Chairman Leslie N. Fountain Joan McIntire, Secretary Lizbeth Lucca Michael Schowalter, Treasurer Dan McIntire Vicki Scott, Volunteer Coordinator Diana D. Smith Ronald Vander Molen 1183 W Holt Ave Gongora isPomona, a proud CA sponsor 91768 of the (909) 623-4199 Friendswww.gongorasbodyandpaint.com of the Pomona Fox. We hopefamily youGongora ownedenjoy and this operated programAd since celebrating1979 Hours: the 80th AnniversaryMon-Fri 8 am of- 5:30 the pm classic film, King Kong

1183 W Holt Ave Pomona, CA 91768 (909) 623-4199 www.gongorasbodyandpaint.com 11 family owned and operated since 1979 Hours: Mon-Fri 8 am - 5:30 pm

11 King Kong

By Scott Essman Turns 80 story of the ultimate man vs. nature n the annals of popular culture, confrontation, laid out in the grandest few characters are as indoctrinated of styles. Ito classic cinematic storytelling as Alas, Denham’s producer finds his King Kong. The film of the same name, treasure on a lost island in the South produced 80 years ago by RKO Pictures Pacific where primitive natives wor- and remade once in 1976, with a second ship a godlike being behind a wall so remake from Peter Jackson in 2005, is great, it takes dozens to open its gates. still one of the great adventure stories But Kong becomes much more than a put onto celluloid. Moreover, James standard filmmaking adventure when Ashmore Creelman and Ruth Rose’s its Ann Darrow character is introduced. 1183 W Holt Ave script, from a story by producer/director A blond beauty full of equal parts awe Pomona, CA 91768 Merian C. Cooper and , and innocence, Darrow is the perfect was a timeless masterpiece of screen- counterpoint to Kong’s immense stature (909) 623-4199 writing. as both god and beast. www.gongorasbodyandpaint.com Following Darrow’s capture by the family owned and operated since 1979 natives, sensing a sacrificial offer to their ape-lord the likes of which he Hours: hasn’t set eyes on before, Denham’s Mon-Fri 8 am - 5:30 pm men are forced on a chase through the island’s jungles. There, they encounter magnificent dinosaurs, treacherous foli- age, and King Kong himself, a King, no doubt, in his native land. With romantic hero Jack Driscoll in hot pursuit, Darrow is rescued and re- 11 turned safely to Denham’s group, but Fay Wray and Merian C. Cooper on the Kong set. Denham has bigger plans. He gas bombs Kong, and transports him back to his na- Essentially, King Kong is the story tive New York where he unveils the beast of a film producer, , who for the dumfounded public. In a sense, goes to the furthest reaches of the globe wanting to return to New York with a in search of a story the likes of which film, Denham returns instead with the nobody has before seen. In this way, subject of the film itself! one could say that Kong is a case of art Of course, the climactic sequence imitating life, as Merian C. ­Cooper was in Kong has passed into legend, with just such a producer, always in search of Kong breaking free of his steel chains, new adventures for audiences. Teamed repossessing Darrow, and climbing to with co-producer/director ­Ernest B. supposed safety atop the Empire State Schoedsack, Cooper set out to tell a Building (which, in 1933, was newly L i g h t s , C a m e r a , A CT I O N !

christened as the tallest man-made context, its Beauty and the Beast refer- structure in the world). His final battle ences, and its statement on the artistic with machine-gun loaded airplanes atop process, King Kong is truly one of Hol- the Empire State Building is an iconic lywood’s masterworks. moment in cinema history. It also says Scott Essman is a Los Angeles-based much about the emerging conflicts be- freelance writer who has produced a tween nature and technology, which in 75th anniversary DVD about the origi- 2013 is perhaps more relevant than it nal King Kong. He can be reached at was in 1933. [email protected]. FilmPOMONA.com * 909.243.9096 We oddly find ourselves guiltily glee- ful when Kong manages to grab one of Friends of the Fox the threatening planes and destroy it. Salutes Cancer Survivors Previously the antagonist, killing Den- L o c a t i o n s , C a s t i n g a n d M o r e ! ham’s men and abducting Darrow, the Friends of the Pomona Fox Theater are audience has no compunctions about pleased to have partnered with The Po- rooting for Kong in his helpless fight mona chapter of Relay For Life. In the against the warlike planes. Still, when audience today are cancer survivors who he has taken too many bullets, send- are attending this program as our guests. ing him crashing down to the pavement In addition, you have the opportunity to some 100 stories below, Denham is as- purchase raffle tickets for Easter Bas- tute to comment that the airplanes did kets. Please be generous. not cause King Kong’s ultimate demise For more informa- – it was beauty killed the beast, Den- tion, please contact Vir- ham observes. ginia Madrigal at: mad- Taken together with its man vs. nature [email protected] L i g h t s , C a m e r a , A CT I O N !

FilmPOMONA.com * 909.243.9096

L o c a t i o n s , C a s t i n g a n d M o r e ! SPECIAL GUEST Friends of the Pomona Fox presents Marli Renfo Peterson The Girl in Hitchcock’s Shower James Dean Natalie Wood Marli Renfro Peterson, known as “The Girl In Hitchcock’s Shower” has agreed to appear at our Rebel Without A Cause October 24 screening of Psycho. Ms. Peterson, as Marli Renfro, was a model who was hired by Sunday, August 28 Universal to do be Janet Leigh’s body double for Including a Classic Car Show in the parking lot across from the theater. the nude shots in the infamous shower sequence. See Classic cars from the era of Rebel. Have your photo taken with She will be available to answer questions and to a vintage car in front of the historic theater with the marquee in the sign autographed photos. We will also be raffling background. an personally autographed copy of the book, The Girl in Hitchcock’s Shower.

Bring On Your Best SCREAM!!!! Got a really terrifying scream? We’re looking for the next great screamer. You’re invited to take the stage at the Pomona Fox in front of our special “Psycho Shower Curtain” and to give your best and loudest scream!! The winning scream will receive a special 50th Anniversary Blu-Ray DVD of Psycho. So bring on your best scream

Halloween Scares Grab your Whip and Fedora and head to Thanks To Our at the Pomona Fox Theater Sponsors the Pomona Fox Theater Sunday, Oct 24 Photos available starting at 1:00 pm Doors open at 1:00 pm, Film screens at 2:00 pm Sunday, June 27 Doors open at 2:00 pm Movie Screens at 3:00 pm Adults $8 Children 12 and under $3 Price: Adults $5.00 Children 12 and under $3.00 Doors open at 1:00 pm, Film screens at 2:00 pm Tickets and info available online at: www.pomonafox.org Costume Contest, Scream Contest, Raffle, Prizes and Surprises. Popcorn, drinks, Price: Adults $3.00 Children 12 and under $2.00 candy available from our snack bar. Advance tickets available at www.pomonafox.org Popcorn, soft drinks, candy, available as well as selected hot foods, and “adult” beverages will be available during the show. Plus a raffl e, photo opportunity, and other surprises. Adult beverages and food available from Drink just off the lobby. Adult Popcorn, soft drinks, candy, available as well as selected hot foods, and “adult” beverages will Beverages and food may be brought into the theater. beverages and food may be brought into the theater. be available during the show. Plus a raffle and other surprises. all proceeds will go to the Friends of the Pomona Fox 501(c)3 non-profi t all proceeds will go to the Friends of the Pomona Fox 501(c)3 non-profit all proceeds will go to the Friends of the Pomona Fox 501(c)3 non-profit

Join Us For Some Holiday Cheer! at the Pomona Fox Theater Sunday, Dec. 12 Doors open at 12:00 pm, Film screens at 1:00 pm Price: Adults $5.00 Children 12 and under $3.00 Prizes and Surprises. Popcorn, drinks, candy available from our snack bar.

A Christmas DOUBLE FEATURE 2 Films, One Low Price

SPECIAL GUEST Panelists

Bela Lugosi, Jr • Sara Karloff Two Films, and a whole lot more for the price of one. Ted Newsom • Bill Warren • Craig Reardon • Shane Mahan•Dan Roebeck Cartoons and Special short subjects will screen between the feature films. Moderator: Scott Essman National Lampoon’s Thanks to our sponsors: White Christmas Screens at 1:00 pm. Christmas Vacation 1954 Starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Screens at 4:00 pm Rosemary Clooney, and Vera Ellen. 1989 Starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis, and Johnny Galecki. The iconic Irving Berlin song fromHoliday Inn gets its own film treatment in this frothy holiday perennial. A Another Holiday favorite, this time the Griswold family Tickets Available online at: www.pomonafox.org song-and-dance team become romantically involved from National Lampoon’s Vacation, plans for a big family with sisters and save the Vermont inn of their general. Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster. Special prizes from our sponsors and Surprises. Popcorn, drinks, candy available from our snack bar. Adult beverages and food available from Drink just off the lobby. Adult Adult beverages and food available from Drink just off the lobby. beverages and food may be brought into the theater. Adult beverages and food may be brought into the theater. all proceeds will go to the Friends of the Pomona Fox 501(c)3 non-profit all proceeds will go to the Friends of the Pomona Fox 501(c)3 non-profit

Follow The Yellow Brick Road to the Pomona Fox Theater Sunday, March 28 For a special Family Screening of The Wizard of Oz Doors open at 12:30 pm Film screens at 2:00 pm Price: Adults $2.00 Children 12 and under $1.00 all proceeds will go to the Friends of the Pomona Fox 501(c)3 non-profit Join us prior to the show for special behind-the-scenes tours of the Pomona Fox Theater

Popcorn, soft drinks, candy, available and well as selected hot foods and “adult” beverages will be available during the show.

Before the show, enjoy a Sunday Brunch 10 am to 1:00 pm at The Drink in the National Register Historic Landmark Pomona Fox Theater building Brunch will consist of a “create it yourself” Pancake bar with all the toppings, and your favorite champagne drink.

Providing Aff ordable Community Programs since 2009

Friends of the Pomona Fox Friends of the Pomona Fox and Pomona Big Read THE TOP TEN FUNNIEST HOLLYWOOD Present the Final Program in the 2011 Pomona Big Read CARTOONS OF ALL TIME! Sunday, March 4, 2:00 pm Adults: $8 Children 12 and under: $3 The 10 chosen cartoons are: • One Froggy Evening Originally produced for • Bad Luck Blackie 1991’s Montreal Juste pour • Duck Amuck Rire/Just for Laughs Comedy • Red Hot Riding Hood Festival. The ten films were Join us for a screening of the 1941 version of The chosen by a panel of expert Maltese Falcon starring Humphrey Bogart as detective • Bear For Punishment advisers through a polling Sam Spade, Mary Astor as his client, and Peter Lorre as • Birds Anonymous of their personal choices. the evasive Joel Cairo. Denise Hamilton, editor of LA • The Great Piggy Bank Noir will discuss film noir and be on hand to sign her Steven Paul Levia, the show’s books, including the newly released Damage Robbery producer stated, “So if you Control. • Quiet Please don’t like or agree with any or all The Big Read is a program of the • King Size Canary of the films on the list, you go talk to National Endowment for the Arts in • The Clock Cleaners Martin Scorsese!” partnership with Arts Midwest. Special Guests Roger Allers, codirector of The Lion King (1994) SPECIAL GUEST Tony Award winner for writing the Broadway adaptation of the film, and director of the upcoming animated feature based on Khalil Gibran’s Denise Hamilton The Profit, in conversation with Steven Paul Leiva, Producer Editor of LA Noir, LA Noir 2; Author of The Last Embrace, Damage Control. of this program, animation producer on Space Jam (1996) starring Thanks to our sponsors: Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny, to talk about the influence of these classic shorts on the renaissance of animation features that started with The Little Mermaid and continues to this day. We Do More Than Just Shipping Thanks to our sponsors:

Notary Cars and Rock ‘n’ Roll We Do More Than Just Shipping the Pomona Fox Theater Live Scan Notary Tickets Available online at: www.pomonafox.org Sunday, July 25 Mailboxes Special prizes from our sponsors and Surprises. Live Scan Doors open at 5:00 pm, Film screens at 6:00 pm Popcorn, drinks, candy available from our snack bar. Price: Adults $3.00 Children 12 and under $2.00 Shipping Tickets Available online at: www.pomonafox.org Advance tickets available at www.pomonafox.org Adult beverages and food available from Drink just off the lobby. Mailboxes Adult beverages and food may be brought into the theater. Special prizes from our sponsors and Surprises. Popcorn, drinks, candy available from our snack bar. Car show including the original 1956 White T-Bird featured all proceeds will go to the Friends of the Pomona Fox 501(c)3 non-profit Printing Adult beverages and appetizers available at Drink, just off the lobby. (beverages and food from Drink may be brought into the theater) in the film along with other classic cars. all proceeds will go to the Friends of the Pomona Fox 501(c)3 non-profit Shipping all proceeds will go to the Friends of the Pomona Fox 501(c)3 non-profit Downtown Pomona North Pomona 101 W. Mission Blvd 168 W. Willow St. Suite 110 Pomona, CA 91768 Pomona, CA 91766 (909)622-7194 (909)620-7131 Printing

Downtown Pomona North Pomona 101 W. Mission Blvd 168 W. Willow St. Suite 110 Pomona, CA 91768 Pomona, CA 91766 (909)622-7194 (909)620-7131 The Editing of 1933’s King Kong By Scott Essman hen Merian C. Cooper lot and had effectively edited short and Ernest B. Schoed- films such as Scratch and several Wsack produced King feature films during the same pe- Kong in 1933, the art of motion riod. However, the exact nature of picture production was forever Cheesman’s entry and involvement changed. Joining the team when in Kong is unknown. In fact, Chees- he was just 30, picture editor Ted man’s entire career remains some- Cheesman had accumulated sev- thing of a mystery. Of course, Coo- eral post-production credits in per and “chief technician” O’Brien the late 1920s and early 1930s. had been aboard King Kong for However, nothing he had done some time, O’Brien having created previously quite prepared him for stop-motion animation in 1925’s Kong, and what film would have? The Lost World and the late-1920s Nevertheless, the expert blend- project Creation. It is the most ing of Cooper and Schoedsack’s likely scenario that O’Brien and live-action footage with Willis H. Cooper designed many of Kong’s O’Brien’s stop-motion animation effects shots, and Cheesman craftily and special effects was seamless, assembled and edited the sequences fluid, and transcended popular cin- together, but film historians have ema at the time. not concurred on the specific nature Cheesman’s entry to the business of the collaboration. might have been due to his immer- Three principal elements in King sion into radio and electronics as Kong were required for the film’s a young man. According to John masterful assembly: first, the live- Hoare, a Cheesman family descen- action footage of the actors, both dant, Theodore Joseph Cheesman, standard shots and separate shots born in 1902 in Missouri, “had a that would have to be matted into hobby interest in amateur radio. elements of the stop-motion ani- Ted’s first films were silent, but he mated footage; next, shots of the moved over to sound with the short oversize props representing Kong’s comedy Scratch-As-Catch-Can is- head, hand, and foot; lastly, the sued in 1931. Ted’s understanding stand-alone stop-motion shots. of electronics must have been an Without question, O’Brien was the important advantage in the transi- mastermind who planned the stop- tion to sound.” motion shots (with his formidable It is likely that Cooper selected team, including technicians Marcel Cheesman to edit King Kong as the Delgado and Mario Larrinaga), set young editor had been on the RKO up the shots, and worked out the to Ann’s reaction on the sacrificial altar, then to a shot of the oversize Kong head. This three-part element of the sequence gives both the audi- ence and Ann one of the great mo- ments in cinema – an introduction to an unforgettable character. Soon afterwards, when Jack Driscoll (Bruce Cabot) and his team come to rescue Ann, we see a startling reaction shot of Jack at the method of cutting the live-action wall built by natives to keep Kong footage and oversize prop footage out of their village. Followed by into the main story. However, the another stop-motion shot, this bit film’s many editorial touches can is a terrific turn by the King Kong be seen throughout the film. team of a horrified reaction and af- One of the first triumphant editing termath, as opposed to the tradition- moments occurs when Ann Darrow al method, often done in reverse. (Fay Wray) is first captured by King O’Brien, Cooper and the key Kong. In the sequence, a stop-mo- Kong technical staff care­fully as- tion Kong comes through the trees sembled similar sequences of stop- to view Ann. We see a live-action motion marrying to live action and Ann with a stop-motion Kong in practical puppet shots in the rescu- the same frame, and then we cut ers boat being overturned by a sea- of oversize Kong’s foot squishing people into the ground. The entire sequence is artfully assembled and creates the best suspense and action in the film – until the climactic se- quence. When Kong arrives in New York, Kong’s filmmakers have saved their best material for the end of the film. Witness an animated Kong being unveiled to a live-action audience in a Broadway theater. In one of the best shots in the movie, when Kong has escaped from the theater, he at- going dinosaur; Kong overturning tacks a train platform. The cutting a fallen log full of rescuers that of animated Kong to the point-of- hovers over a crevasse, and Jack’s view of the train approaching him is rescue of Ann when Kong battles one of the finest in the film. When a pterodactyl and later a snake- Kong captures Ann from a hotel like dinosaur. Of note, O’Brien room, the movie effects an effort- originally animated a sequence at less transition from giant animated the bottom of the crevasse where Kong outside the window to live maimed rescuers are attacked by action players in the room, then an a giant spider, but the scenes were oversize hand and arm grabbing deemed too intense and the footage Ann. was excised; now, Steven Austin’s O’Brien documentary, entitled, Creation: The Lost Worlds Of Wil- lis O’Brien, is attempting to restore the sequence with the assistance of stop-motion pioneer Jim Danforth. With regards to post-production, the best sequence in King Kong is arguably Kong’s rampage through the native village. First, film is intercut with live action footage of people panicking and stop-mo- tion animation of Kong breaking through the wall and tearing up na- tive huts. Next, stop-motion anima- tion is fluidly cut with matte shots of natives throwing spears at an ani- mated Kong. Lastly, the film deftly inserts shots of natives in the over- size Kong’s mouth along with shots Of course, few fans of cinema are un- ing filmmakers were unable to continue familiar with King Kong’s escalation of the collaboration on a wide variety and and performance atop the Empire State breadth of films following Kong. Building. The filmmakers brilliantly Nonetheless, after King Kong, Ted insert far shots of the building with a Cheesman edited the quickly produced nearly invisibly ascending Kong, with Kong sequel, Son Of Kong, and more closer animated footage of the same successfully, the 1935 RKO production bit. Perhaps there is no other way to de- of She, both also produced by Cooper. scribe the biplanes attack on a mounted Cheesman also edited several films in Kong atop the building but a brilliant the 1930s before joining the Royal Air composition of wide shots with planes Force in World War II. His only signif- in the distance to close shots of pilots icant postwar film was Cooper’sMighty in the planes (cameos by Cooper and Joe Young released in 1949. Notably, Schoedsack), to medium shots of Kong Son Of Kong and Mighty Joe Young also and the planes. featured stop-motion animation and ef- The net effect of the technical work fects by O’Brien. According to Hoare, on the film was nothing short of im- Cheesman married late in life, but had pacting the whole way that audiences no children. viewed cinema. The collaboration of Scott Essman frequently writes about O’Brien’s technical mastery, Cooper’s cinema craftsmanship and can be direction, and the editorial choices was reached at [email protected]. nothing short of stunning, and it remains an unfortunate reality that the pioneer-

Thursday May 23rd Laemmle Claremont 5 Cinema Buy tickets at: www.claremontcommunitycollege.com

Recognizing that the short film is not, in itself, a product to produce great financial rewards, the Claremont 5 Second Film Festival honors and celebrates the short format as a creative entity in its own right. We strive to create an atmosphere to encourage interaction with filmmakers and their audience in order to enhance the artistic experience of both. With the desire to provide a premium experience, the Claremont Festival exhibits its selected films at the prestigious Laemmle Theatre in the center of the beautiful Claremont Village. We are dedicated to ensuring that you and the audience share a memorable evening celebrating the art of the short film. THANK YOU! Brent Armstrong, who provided the Kong sculpture atop Empire State These programs are the result of the Building in full color work of many organizations and indi- Steve Austin, producer, writer, direc- viduals, who give of their time so the tor, who provided his 20-minute biogra- community can enjoy classic programs phy film about King Kong creator Willis in the landmark National Register His- O’Brien toric Pomona Fox Theater. We’d espe- As always, we wish to thank our won- cially like to thank: derful volunteers who give so freely of Scott Essman, Program Coordinator their time to help with setup, cleanup, Historic illustrator Frank Dietz selling tickets, popping popcorn, and all Ken Hall, who provided the giant life- the other myriad duties necessary to put size Kong arm and hand (made for me on the show. We really appreciate your for the 75th anniversary) hard work. We’d also like to thank: Greg Nicotero, who provided the The City of Pomona stop-motion Kong puppet and short film with new King Kong animation Pomona Fox Theater Doug Turner, who provided materials Maria Tarozzi, Theater Manager belonging to his father, author of The Aminda Zamora, Theater Booking Making Of King Kong Downtown Pomona Owners Associa- Chris Endicott, who provided materi- tion (DPOA), Larry Egan, Director als belonging to a Kong tribute by stop- Best Beverage Company (The Drink) motion animator David Allen

Lobby Displays: clockwise from above: Brent Armstong’s sculpture of Kong atop the Empire State Building; Chris Endicott with the stop-motion Kong, giant Kong arm provided by Ken Hall. NEW BOOK BACK IN PRINT 48 Pages of your favorite Universal Class Monsters and Other Horrors

Greg and Laura Estel are proud supporters of the Friends of the Pomona Fox Theater, Serving our Pomona Neighbors since 1991. Full-Service Residential and Commercial heating, air conditioning, and commercial refrigeration services (909) 622-3689 FAX (909) 629-8722 www.gregsrefrigeration.com • Air Conditioning & Heating Specialists • Specializing in Craftsman & Vintage Homes • Custom Installations • Contractor License #745570 • Proud Sponsor & Supporter Of Pomona Heritage   Greg & Laura Estel (909) 622-3689 FAX (909) 629-8722

08_PH Tour Book2_cs4.indd 26 9/25/2008 8:27:28 AM Greg and Laura Estel are proud supporters of the Friends of the Pomona Fox Theater, Serving our Pomona Neighbors since 1991. Full-Service Residential and Commercial heating, air conditioning, and commercial refrigeration services (909) 622-3689 FAX (909) 629-8722 www.gregsrefrigeration.com • Air Conditioning & Heating Specialists • Specializing in Craftsman & Vintage Homes • Custom Installations • Contractor License #745570 • Proud Sponsor & Supporter Of Pomona Heritage   Greg & Laura Estel (909) 622-3689 FAX (909) 629-8722

08_PH Tour Book2_cs4.indd 26 9/25/2008 8:27:28 AM